Microsoft Office: Out with the Old, In with the New

Posted by TestOut Staff on May 25, 2016

Microsoft office has received a needed facelift that will keep the software competitive against the likes of Dropbox and Google Drive. Office is making the jump to the cloud in a big way. As usual, the GUI has been tweaked, which you'll notice in this side-by-side comparison of the "ribbon" from the both the 2013 (above) and 2016 (below) versions of Mircrosoft Word:

Here are the biggest upgrades that separate 2016 from the former 2013 version:

CO-AUTHORING Work with others simultaneously on a document regardless of the device you're using. (Word & PowerPoint)

SIMPLIFIED SHARING Click Share button in the Ribbon and see who has access and who is currently working in the document. (Word, Excel, & PowerPoint)

REAL-TIME Typing as you collaborate with others in a document, see where others are working and view their edits as they happen. (Word & PowerPoint)

IMPROVED VERSION HISTORY Refer back to previous snapshots and earlier drafts of documents during the editing process as you collaborate with others. (Word, Excel, & PowerPoint)

Since most of the new features of Office 2016 are intended for advanced users, they are not likely to be covered in a first-semester academic course.

EXPORT DATA SOURCE INFORMATION TO EXCEL Get a list of all the linked data sources from your Access database application into Excel for reference. (Access)

OFFICE THEMES The Dark Gray theme provides a high contrast look, the Colorful theme offers a modern look, and the White theme provides a traditional Office look. (All)

I know what you’re all wondering and the answer is yes, this means that the Microsoft Office certification exams have changed. There is no need to panic however because most of the changes were designed to make the exam a little easier.

You can now purchase the updated Desktop Pro course from TestOut, which will prepare you for all of the Microsoft Office certifications.

About the Author — Jake Slater is the social media manager for GoCertify and a graduate of Brigham Young University. Jake was just a twinkle in his father's eye when Microsoft Word made its debut on Oct. 25, 1983.

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